Programme for Government 2013-14

Part of the debate – in the Scottish Parliament at on 4 September 2013.

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Photo of Alex Neil Alex Neil Scottish National Party

No.

The reality is that there is only one way to abolish the bedroom tax, and that is by voting yes next year. The incredible position of the Labour Party in Scotland is that its aspiration on the bedroom tax is that, in the future, it will be able to lobby a Labour Government at Westminster to abolish it. It would be far better to have the legislative power in this assembly. Had we had that power, the bedroom tax would never have been introduced in the first place.

Jackson Carlaw rose—

Ruth Davidson (Glasgow) (Con) rose—

There is obviously another leadership competition going on. Is it going to be Jackson Carlaw or Ruth Davidson?

Before I let one of them in, I do not want to be rude so I should congratulate Jackie Baillie on her reshuffled appointment just before the recess. I knew that, with all the nonsense that she was talking, she would not last as my shadow for much longer. Having listened to Neil Findlay, my prediction is that by Christmas Helen Eadie will replace him as the shadow health spokesperson.

Jackson Carlaw rose—

Ruth Davidson rose—

I will give way. I ask the members to decide among themselves.